Free-reed block



M. O. NICHOLS. Free Reed Block.

No. 235,556. Patented Dec. 14,1880

. N,PETERS, FHOTO LJTHOGRAPHEFL WASHWGTON D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEO MOSES O. NICHOLS, OF CLYDE, OHIO.

FREE-REED BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,556, dated December 14, 1880.

Application filed December 26, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Moses 0. NIoHoLs, of Clyde, in the county of Sandusky and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Free-Reed Blocks used in Musical Instruments, and in the arrangement within the same of the reed; and I do declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a face view of the reed within the block, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

My invention consists in a peculiar cupping of the reed-block, the advantages of which are:

First, rapidity of action of the reed from its position within the block, and whereby the edges of the reed are protected by the edges of the block from the action of lateral aircur rents, thereby insuring a downward action of the air upon the same, causing instantaneous efiect, and producing a full tone at the mo ment of letting the force of the air upon it by the depression of the valve beneath it.

Secondly, a deeper and more rounded tone resulting from the depression in or peculiar cupping of the block, as the vibrating center is below the surface, thus preven ting the wastage of air which occurs in the common method of arranging the reed. I then bevel out the edges of this aperture from one side of the block, beginning at the end A on the upper side, extending to the end B on the under side, so as to leave a tapering beveled cavity,

as shown in Fig.2. The edges of the aperture on the opposite side of the block are beveled out in the same way, but in a reverse direction, so that the meeting edges of the two beveled surfaces are in a diagonal line extending from the upper side at one end of the aperture to the opposite end on the under side, which diagonal line is the center of vibration of the reed. I next prepare the reed and rivet it upon the block in the usual manner. After properly voicing the same, I depress the free end into the cavity to a greater or less degree, according to the delicacy or force of tone I wish to secure. The reed is then ready for action, and may be placed in position for use.

I do not herein claim the reed constructed as shown, as that is the subject of another application of mine.

I am aware that the thin end of a free reed has been bent down below the bottom of the opening, as in Letters Patent No. 6,543, June 19, 1849, and such I do not claim; but

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The reed-block having the edges of the reed-aperture beveled out to form the two tapering beveled cavities in reverse positions on opposite sides of the block, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a reed-block constructed as described, a reed arranged within the block substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

MOSES O. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

(l. L. NIoKnnsoN, WM. F. GUn'rIs. 

